Save $$ in 3 AAA EDC LED Light

I have a little Radio Shack 2 Nichia LED EDC light with a 3AAA>C style battery cartridge designed for alkaline AAA cells. But it irks me to pay $1 each for AAA cells, plus I tend to use it less than I might to save $$. I don't want to use 3 NiMH cells since they might cook the LEDs, I hate odd numbers of cells and my charger only takes pairs of cells.

What I've decided to do is mix 2 NiMH cells with 1 older alkaline cell -- the higher internal resistance of the dying alkaline will limit the current. I tested it and it seems fine -- bright and white. I'll just keep recharging the 2 NiMH cells until I notice a degradation, then I'll pop in another nearly exhausted alkaline and away I go again. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif